SWA #16

"What Is Autism?." autismspeaks.org. Autism Speaks, 2012. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism>.

This article provided an overview into what autism is.  It goes in depth and explains how common it is and how what are the causes of it.  It provides valuable information necessary to understanding what autism is.

"Autism Fact Sheet." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. National Institutes of Health, 18 Jan 2012. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm>.

This article provided various facts that are important to understanding what autism is, and why research is important.  It gives examples of causes and give some examples of possible treatments.

SWA #15

The issues I researched

• Funding for Autism Research
• African Famine
• South Carolina Drink Laws

The search process wasn't too hard because we had to use the USC database for English last semester.  The issue I found easiest to research was famine in Africa.  This is such a broad topic and there was a lot of information on it.  Finding information on South Carolina drinking laws was much harder.  I am leaning towards research funding for autism research because it is an issue that interests me most.

SWA #13

Issue 1
a. Autism research
b. There are many way to treat it but some are more effective and there are no cures
c.  More money should be put into autism research
d.  What are some of the ways to treat it and what is most effective

Issue 2
a.  laws in South Carolina that make it possible to still get a ticket at a party with alcohol even if you are not drinking
b.  They are being responsible and still getting in trouble
c. Its wrong
d. how it can be changed

Issue 3
a.  African Famine
b.  People are dying
c. Help people
d. How to help

SWA #12

This article was about a woman who believed that healthy food was essential for a children's well being.  She gave examples of how they worked for a few kids.  She emphasized how children need to learn the importance of farming and how that relates to us.

I didn't understand what the assignment was so I just summarized.  I know what an annotated bibliography is but I don't understand how to annotate an article without sources.

1.  According to Waters food teaches values central to democracy by helping children understand cooperation.  They learn about how farmers depend on land, we depend on farmers, and our nation depends on us, and this shows them the importance of working together.

2. She makes the claim that healthier food leads to better learning by students, and she supports this claim with an example from a school in Wisconsin.  I think more evidence would have definitely strengthened her argument because right now I'm not at all convinced.

3. I'm not sure about the state of south carolina, but I know that the school district that I am from would never do anything like this program.

SWA #11

Part of the reason that Bittman has such an effective argument as to why there should be a tax on sugary foods is that he able to address both sides of the issue.  For example, when giving an example on the successful initiative to curtail tobacco marketing he is able to address the point that sugary foods are not tobacco.  He points out that food is necessary for survival and tobacco is not, and then counters that by saying you don't need extra sugar in our foods either.  He even gives examples of health benefits to further his counter argument that they are similar.  Another time that he addresses the other side of his argument is when he talks about enhanced drinks. He admits that it is better to drink these than just plain sugary drinks, but then comes back by saying it would just be better to not drink them at all.  He is able to recognize others opinions and spin them in a way that it supports his argument.

SWA #10

Title: A Growing Problem; A Rhetorical Analysis on Mark Bittman’s “Bad Food? Tax It.”

Thesis: By examining Mark Bittman’s “Bad Food? Tax it,” we can see that Bittman effectively argues for a tax on unhealthy food by using strategies such as addressing both sides of the issue, using statistics, providing examples of how it would work, and providing examples of why it is necessary.

                            I.     Bittman addresses both sides of the issue

A.   When comparing the issue with the tobacco industry he recognizes that food is a necessity and tobacco is not.

1.     Offers counterpoint that you don’t need sugary drinks

2.     Provides examples of risks that are similar to that of smoking

B.    Addresses claim about enhanced drinks

1.     Agrees that drinks with vitamins are a little better

2.     Says they would be better off just consuming less of these

                          II.     Bittman uses statistics

A.   Average American consumes 44.7 gallons of soft drinks annually

B.    American consumed 278 additional calories per day between 1977 and 2001 and more than 40 percent came from soda and other sugary drinks

C.    Talks about how obesity cost are projected to reach 344 billion by 2018

D.   Talks about how the tax could save cities billions of dollars

E.    Mentions the food advertisements children see and how 86 percent of them are for unhealthy foods.

                        III.     Bittman provides examples of how it could work

A.   Talks about how sweetened drinks should be taxed at 2 cents per ounce

1.     Pepsi would cost a 1.44 more

2.     This shows readers it wouldn’t be a significant price change but it still could make a difference

B.    Tobacco example

1.     Shows similarities

2.     Talks about how if that can work so can this

C.    Gives examples of it working in other countries

1.     Demark

2.     Romania

3.     Hungary

4.     Brazil

                        IV.     Bittman provides examples of why it is necessary

A.   Talks about how it would save America money

1.     Save the government around 30 billion in health related costs

2.     New York State example

B.    Save lives

1.     Prevent 1.5 million Americans from becoming obese

2.     Prevent 400,000 cases of diabetes.

Conclusion Point: This is an effective argument because it addresses both sides of the issue, provides examples of how and why a tax is necessary, and it contains strong statistics to drive his point home.

SWA #9

The main claim of Ethan Huff's article, "Factory food artificially cheap, bad for your health," is that we need to revert back to smaller local farms, and give up the practice of having factory food.

The reasons he listed for why we should go back to local farms is that:

• Better for the environment
• Better for the animals
• Healthier for us

An unstated assumption is that he is against government supporting cash crops and that he wants government to back off of that and support local farms.

SWA #8

2. "If reason and morality are what set human beings apart from animals, then reason and morality must guide us in how we treat them, or else it's all just caprice, unbridled appetite with the pretense of piety."

• I think Scully means that since we are set apart from animals by our knowledge and recognition of right and wrong then when should use these principles to treat animals with respect, even if we are going to eat them.  I agree with Scully to an entent.  I believe that we should try to be respectful of animals before we eat them, but I think he forgets that humans are carnivores.  When a lion tears apart his prey does he think about the animals feelings? Probably not.  I believe humans should express some sentiment but the carnivore in us with take over at times.

3. Where does Scully stand on the "rights" of animals.

• Scully believes that animals do have some rights.  He thinks that they shouldn't be tortured before they are killed and should be treated humanely.  An example of this is on page 356 when he mentions a bible verse about how animals should be treated with respect.  He follows that up with a statement that American laws should follow this verse.

• Scully's argument is effective because he addresses the other side of the argument as well.  Scully mentioned a conservative columnist that didn't want to know about the horrors of industrial farming.  Since Scully is a conservative this makes his argument more effective because it shows he has seen both sides of this issue.

Questions/Concerns about my paper:

• It's not long enough
• Thesis could be stronger
• Wasn't sure what to compare
• Weak Conclusion